We stood somewhere in the middle-back of the pack for the start. There were around 500 runners for this, so it was very close quarters for the first 1/4 mile or more. Pretty quickly Debbie began complaining of a higher than normal HR. I suggested we slow it up a bit and she focus on controlled breathing. We made it to the 1 mile mark at 9:34 or :44 (?) Occasionally I would tell her what the pace was, because I was trying to keep her within her goal time. Sometimes she would tell me that she wouldn't be able to keep that pace up for long. Her calves were a bit tight too. At about the 2 mile marker I realized that she probably wouldn't make it a 29 min race, but I still thought she was doing great. Her breathing was pretty labored, but she kept at it. The water stop was at the 2 mile mark. I encouraged her to stop and walk it and take a good drink, which she did. We came to a hill going up Clinton Ave and she decided she had to walk it to the top. At mile 2.68 Debbie finally declared "This is my first 5K and my last!! This isn't worth it! If I wanted to kill myself I could do it in the privacy of my own home!!!" I got a pretty big kick out of that. But then I started to feel badly that the race wasn't enjoyable for her. I had kind of saw it as my duty to help her like it, and I was failing!! Right after that she said something about just not wanting to be last. I turned around to look and saw a huge sea of people way behind us! I had her stop to look too and I think it made her feel better.
We saw the family, Rob and the kids and Rob's sister, hubby and her 2 kids included, at about the 2.8 mile mark. They got pictures. By this point I was really trying to encourage Debbie on. Telling her how much further to the 3 mile mark, then only 1 tenth left and hey, there's the finish line, you're doing great!! I let her finish ahead of me! (1 sec) She made sure she told me that once she saw the posted results! :)

Encourage Debbie to not set a specific goal time for herself. To just use this race as a guideline for future races. The pace was just too much for her this time around.

We walked and her friends found us so we chatted for awhile. Rob and the kids found us soon after. We waited for the start of the 10K, then we walked over to the registration building for food and awards! Debbie won her AG, (55-59, 1/4) which I think might in the long run encourage her to try another race! :) She got a very nice medal with a purple ribbon.


Debbie acknowledged that her biggest weakness are hills. I told her to run more hills and run intervals. She seemed interested, but I'm not sure she'll follow through.


I had a good time! Debbie, on the other hand, I'm not so sure about. It's the first race I've ever done where I didn't feel any pressure, or feel sick at the end! I can't help but wonder what time I could have done on the 10K, though. I might have to run the 10K next year!